Fluid conduit quick connectors with anti-spill valves

ABSTRACT

A fluid connection includes a valve which blocks flow into or out of the housing until a tube is fully received within the housing. The valve preferably has structure which is biased against the valve seat in the housing until the tube is moved into the housing. The valve seat is preferably in a plane which is perpendicular to the central axis of the housing. Further, the valve preferably has surfaces which guide fluid between the radially outer surface of the valve and the interior of the tube. In one embodiment, the valve includes a forward ring which contacts a tube and which has two ribs connected to the main valve body. The valve surface is preferably a conical surface spaced axially inwardly from the forward ring. Preferably, additional conical surfaces are disposed between the ribs and guide the fluid between the valve surface and the interior of the tube. In another embodiment, the valve may have an X or Y-shaped cross-sectional ribs which contact the tube. The ribs may be conical and extend axially into the tube to guide fluid flow. Further, the valve surface preferably has a cross-sectional shape which roughly corresponds to the shape of the ribs, and the valve seat opening has a similar cross-sectional shape with a cross-sectional area intermediate that of the valve surfaces and the ribs.

This is a divisional of copending application Ser. No. 07/918,986 filedon Jul. 23, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,254.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application in general relates to improvements in valves receivedwithin fluid housings to prevent spilling when a tube is not properlyconnected to the housing.

In the prior art, various valves are known which prevent flow between afirst fluid line and a second fluid line when the two are not properlyconnected. Such valves are particularly valuable when utilizing fluidquick connectors. In fluid quick connectors, a tube may be quicklyattached to a fluid housing to provide a fluid connection.

The prior art has developed valves which are seated against a valve seatwhen the tube is not received within the housing, and which arecontacted by the tube, and moved away from the valve seat to allow flowbetween the first and second lines when the tube is properly receivedwithin the housing. In general, these valves have provided undesirablerestrictions to fluid flow and have disrupted the flow. Thus, thesevalves have not been practically incorporated within production fluidconnections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses valves which minimize restriction anddisruption of fluid flow between a tube and a housing.

In disclosed embodiments of the present invention, a valve is biasedtoward a first position within a fluid housing. At the first position, avalve seat is provided in a plane generally perpendicular to a centralaxis of the housing. When a tube is fully received within the housing,the valve is moved away from this first position towards a secondposition where the valve is no longer seated. Structure on the valveguides the fluid between the outer periphery of the valve and a centralforward position of the valve to communicate with the interior of thetube, which is now received in the housing. This minimizes restrictionsand disruptions in the fluid flow.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention a forward ringcontacts the tube end, and is connected to the valve body by ribs. Theseribs provide structural integrity to the valve. In this embodiment, thevalve structure includes a conical flange at the outer peripheralsurface of the valve body which contacts a seal in the housing. The sealdefines a valve seat. The valve body preferably consists of conicallyoutwardly extending surfaces which guide the fluid between the outerperiphery of the valve body and flow passages which extend inwardly ofthe fluid ring into or from the interior of the tube. The guidance ofthe flow minimizes disruptions in the flow, and restrictions to flow.

In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a plurality ofribs are the valve portion which actually contacts the tube end. Indisclosed embodiments, three and four ribs are formed into either Y or Xshapes. Less than three ribs could be used, and more than four ribscould also be used. The ribs generally conform in configuration to asimilar shaped valve surface spaced axially inwardly from the ribs.Preferably the housing includes a plate which has valve seat openingroughly corresponding to the shape of the ribs and valve surface, but ofsmaller area than the valve surface. A spring forces the valve surfaceagainst the valve seat opening to prevent flow when a tube is notproperly received within the housing. When a tube is inserted into thehousing, the tube end contacts the ribs and forces the valve against theforce of the spring, moving the valve surfaces off of the valve seatopening. Thus, flow can communicate between the tube inner end and thesecond line by moving between the ribs, through the valve opening in thehousing, and past the valve surfaces. Since the valve surfaces are notannular, they do not present an undue restriction to flow. The structureof the ribs, valve surfaces and valve seat guide the flow between theouter periphery of the valve and the interior of the tube.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, of which the following isa brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an assembled fluid connectionincluding the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the fully assembledconnection.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the housing of the first embodiment illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a valve element according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a second embodiment fluidconnection.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7--7 as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector shown in FIG.6, with the tube fully assembled.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the second embodiment fluid connection.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment valve.

FIG. 11 is an end view of a third embodiment valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A fluid connection 20 includes a housing 22 having an inner end 24 andan outer end 26. A retainer 28 includes resilient legs 29 whichselectively retain a tube 30 within housing 22. To this end, tube 30 isformed with a radially greater, or upset portion 32, which selectivelybiases legs 29 radially outwardly to allow passage of upset portion 32.Such retainer structure is well known in the art.

A valve 34 has a conical valve surfaces 36 at an inner periphery whichcontacts a seal 38 to block flow between ends 24 and 26 of housing 22when tube 30 is not fully inserted, as in the illustrated position.

A spring 40 abuts a face 41 of housing 22 and forces valve 34 towardsouter end 26 such that valve surface 36 is forced into seal 38. Thus, aseal is formed between valve surface 36 and seal 38 in a plane which isgenerally perpendicular to the axis of housing 22. Spring 40 abuts asurface 42 on valve 34. A stop tab 43 abuts a face 44 in housing 22preventing undue outward movement of valve 34.

When tube 30 is not fully inserted within housing 22, surface 36 abutsseal 38, and flow between ends 24 and 26 will not occur. Thus, shouldend 24 be connected to a second fluid line, which contains fluid, fluidwill not leak outwardly of end 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, tube 30 has now been fully inserted, with upsetportion 32 being received inwardly of less 29. Inner end 31 of tube 30has abutted an axially outer ring 35 of valve 34, and forces valve 34 tocompress spring 44 and move axially inwardly. Surface 36 no longercontacts seal 38.

As shown, a pair of ribs 50 connect forward ring 35 to the remainder ofvalve body 34. Conical surfaces 52 are formed between ribs 50 to guidefluid between the outer peripheral surface 54 of valve 34 and theinterior of ring 35 where fluid communicates with tube 30. The conicalstructure ensures that fluid will flow smoothly between ends 24 and 26into tube 30, once valve 34 has been unseated by tube inner end 31.

This is a great improvement over the prior art, which did notsuccessfully guide the flow in similar valves. Due to this guidance thevalve will not create an undue restriction or disruptions to flowbetween ends 24 and 26.

FIG. 3 is a view looking inwardly from outer end 26 of housing 22. Asshown, retainer 28 has legs 29 extending inwardly with forward ring 35having an inner peripheral diameter approximately equal to the innerperipheral diameter of legs 29. This inner peripheral diameter of leg 29is approximately equal to the outer peripheral diameter of the bulk oftube 30, with the exception of upset portion 32 and the tapered innerend 31. Forward ring 35 has a slightly smaller inner peripheral surface,to contact inner end 31 and tube 30. As shown, inner end 31 is taperedand extends into forward ring 35, providing a tight fluid seal.

As shown in FIG. 4, the assembled connection 20 includes housing 22,spring 40, valve 34, seal 38 and retainer 28.

As shown in FIG. 5, valve 34 includes forward ring 35 connected by apair of ribs 50 to a main valve body. Valve surface 36 is generallyconical. The seal between valve surface 36 and seal 38 will tend to beat a circular surface lying in a plane generally perpendicular to theaxis of housing 22. Conical surfaces 52 extend radially outwardly toguide fluid between outer peripheral surface 54 and flow passagesinteriorly of forward ring 35. In the absence of conical surfaces 52,disruptions and excessive turbulence in the fluid flow might occur. Ribs56 are spaced axially rearwardly of the outer peripheral surface 54, anda tab line 58 is connected to stop tab 43.

A second embodiment connection 70 is illustrated in FIG. 6. A housing 72has an inner end 76 and an outer end 78. A retainer 78 includes legs 80which selectively retain a tube 82 in housing 72. Tube 82 has an upsetportion 84 and an axially inner end 86. A valve 87 includes a number ofribs 88 and a valve surface 90 which is forced against a valve seatopening 92 to block flow between ends 74 and 76. The valve contact is ina plane which is perpendicular to a central axis of the housing. Spring94 forces valve 87 into valve seal opening 92. A pin 95 on valve 87moves within a guide surface 96 to guide valve 87 within housing 72.When tube 82 is not fully inserted, valve 87 is in the illustratedposition blocking flow between ends 74 and 76.

As shown in FIG. 7, there are four ribs 88 on valve 87 arranged in an Xor cross-shape. Tube axially inner end 86 contacts these ribs once ithas moved axially inwardly to a sufficient extent.

Valve surfaces 90 and valve seat opening 92 also have a generally X orcross-shape similar to ribs 88. As shown, valve surfaces 90 have agreater cross-sectional area than valve seat opening 92, such that valve87 blocks flow through valve seat 92 when it is forced against valveseat opening 92. Ribs 88 have a smaller cross-sectional area than valveseat opening 92.

As shown in FIG. 8, when tube 82 is fully connected, valve 87 is forcedaxially inwardly and away from valve seat opening 92. Fluid may thenflow between end 74 and end 76. The fluid flows axially outwardly aroundvalve surfaces 90, through valve seat opening 92, and between ribs 88into or out of axially inner end 86 of tube 82. Due to the similarshapes of the ribs, the valve seat opening, and the valve surfaces, thefluid is smoothly guided, and thus the valve 87 does not present anundue restriction to flow, or cause undue disruption to the flow.

In the prior art, similar valves may have used annular valve surfacesforced against the valve seat. The annular surfaces caused all of thefluid to necessarily flow radially outwardly around the annular surface,and then through the valve opening, which is generally slightly radiallyinwardly from the annular surfaces. The inventive valve use of aplurality of circumferentially-spaced valve surface portions allow thefluid flow to be generally axial, thus minimizing disruptions in theflow. The flow must move slightly around the valve surfaces 90, goinginto or out of the valve seat openings 92. There is no undue restrictionof the flow, and further, the ribs 88 and valve surfaces 90 tend toguide the flow into and out of the valve seat opening 92, minimizingdisruptions to the flow.

As further shown, ribs 88 have a conical forward facing end whichextends into inner end 86 of tube 82. This further assists in smoothlyguiding the flow into, or out of, tube 82.

As shown in FIG. 9, connection 70 consists of spring 94, valve 87, andhousing 72 which includes valve seat opening 92.

As shown in FIG. 10, pin 95 is formed on a rear face of valve 87. Valvesurfaces 90 have a similar cross-section to ribs 88, although they areof a larger cross-sectional area.

As shown in FIG. 11, a third embodiment valve 100 is similar to valve87, but has only three ribs 102 arranged in a general Y-shape, and asimilarly shaped valve surface 104. Of course, the valve seat openingused would have a similar configuration.

Although four and three rib valve embodiments have been disclosed, itshould be understood that any number of ribs can be utilized.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed,however, a worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thatcertain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. Forthat reason the following claims should be studied in order to determinethe true scope and content of this invention.

We claim:
 1. A fluid connection comprising:a housing extending between afirst and second end, a central axis of said housing being definedextending from said first end inwardly toward said second end; a valveselectively movable within said valve housing from a first positionwhere a valve surface on said valve is seated against a valve seat insaid housing and blocks flow between said first and second ends of saidhousing, a spring biasing said valve toward said first position, andsaid valve being movable inwardly of said housing against the force ofsaid spring to a position where it is not seated and the first andsecond ends are fluidly connected; a tube selectively received withinsaid housing, said tube having an inner end which is in a position whenfully connected within said housing where it contacts a contact surfaceof said valve and moves said valve axially inwardly from said firstposition such that said first and second ends of said housing arefluidly connected; and said valve surface and said valve seat havingsimilar cross-sectional shapes which include a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced portions and said valve surface being formed ofa greater area than said valve seat.
 2. A fluid connection as recited inclaim 1, wherein said contact surface is provided by ribs, said ribsdefining a shape similar to the shape of said valve surface and saidvalve seat opening, said ribs having a smaller cross-sectional area thansaid valve seat opening.
 3. A fluid connection as recited in claim 2,wherein there are four of said ribs, such that said valve surface, saidvalve seat and said ribs all have a generally X cross-sectional shape.4. A fluid connection as recited in claim 2, wherein said ribs have atapered inner end such that they define a generally conical outwardlyfacing surface, and said generally conically outwardly facing surface isreceived within said axially inner end further provide guidance for theflow.
 5. A fluid connection comprising:a housing extending along acentral axis between a first end and a second end; a valve seat attachedinside said housing between said first and second ends, said valve seatdefining a planar, radially extending valve seat surface and a valveseat opening; a valve defining a radially extending planar valve surfaceand four ribs extending axially away from said valve surface and throughsaid valve seat opening, said ribs being circumferentially spaced todefine an x-shaped cross section and axial channels through which fluidmay flow, said valve being movable within said housing between a firstposition, in which said valve surface contacts said valve seat surfaceto block said valve seat opening and prevent fluid flow between saidfirst and second ends of said housing, and a second position, in whichsaid valve surface is spaced from said valve seat surface to allow flowbetween said first and second ends of said housing; and a tube receivedwithin said housing and being movable to contact said ribs and to movesaid valve from said first position toward said second position.
 6. Afluid connection as recited in claim 5 and further comprising a springmounted in said housing which forces said valve toward said firstposition when said tube is not fully inserted.
 7. A fluid connection asrecited in claim 5 wherein said valve seat opening has an x-shapedcross-section similar to the cross-section of said ribs.
 8. A fluidconnection as recited in claim 7 wherein said valve seat surface has anx-shaped cross-section similar to the cross-section of said ribs andsaid vale seat opening.
 9. A fluid connection as recited in claim 5wherein said ribs define a conically-tapered end which extends into saidtube to assist in guiding flow into or out of said tube.
 10. A fluidconnection as recited in claim 5 wherein said valve surface and saidvalve seat surface have a planar surface of contact in a directionperpendicular to said central axis of said housing.
 11. A fluidconnection comprising:a housing extending along a central axis between afirst end and a second end; a valve seat attached inside said housingbetween said first and second ends, said valve seat defining a planar,radially extending valve seat surface and a valve seat opening; a valvedefining a radially extending planar valve surface and three ribsextending axially away from said valve surface and through said valveseat opening, said ribs being circumferentially spaced to define ay-shaped cross section and axial channels through which fluid may flow,said valve being movable within said housing between a first position,in which said valve surface contacts said valve seat surface to blocksaid valve seat opening and prevent fluid flow between said first andsecond ends of said housing, and a second position, in which said valvesurface is spaced from said valve seat surface to allow flow betweensaid first and second ends of said housing; and a tube received withinsaid housing and being movable to contact said ribs and to move saidvalve from said first position toward said second position.
 12. A fluidconnection as recited in claim 11 wherein said valve seat opening has ay-shaped cross-section similar to the cross-section of said ribs.
 13. Afluid connection as recited in claim 12 wherein said valve seat surfacehas a y-shaped cross-section similar to the cross-section of said ribsand said valve seat opening.
 14. A fluid connection as recited in claim11 wherein said ribs define a conically-tapered end which extends intosaid tube to assist in guiding flow into or out of said tube.